Rose Petal Paper
...the simple way!

Rose Petal Paper has so many uses, and whether you use your own home-grown petals or buy freeze dried, you will end up with a craft project to be proud of.

You can continue your season by making some of those roses useful by creating a wonderfully scented paper. All you need are the petals (without the spikey stems at the base!)

Here are some simple directions for petal paper making.

- Recyclable Paper

This can include any number of various types of paper. Use fine tissue paper for finer paper to old greeting cards for making heavier paper and others in between. Just be sure there is no glue or tape included.

Tear this paper into small bits of about an inch in measurement or smaller.

- One large tub

Go by the hardware store and pick up a black oil-draining tub, or use a big dishpan or turkey roasting pan!

- A mold and deckle

These you can make yourself using two of the same sized embroidery hoops and stretching a nylon stocking over each. Alternatively, you can wire screening over an old picture frame and securing it. Picture frame deckles are dip able, whereas it is best to pour pulp into the hoop deckle.

- Two large sticks

These are useful to hold deckle over tub, while draining.

- Blender

- Rolling Pin

- Buckets or bowls for each color of pulp you make to soak in.

- Cups, you will use these for dipping the paper pulp into the deckle.

- Newspapers to absorb any excess water while pressing and drying paper.

- Sponge and towels for quick, easy clean ups.

To make paper pulp, you will add the recycled paper pieces into the container of water. Allow to soak at least two hours.

Add pulp to blender, making sure there is adequate water, 1/3 pulp to 2/3 water is best. Blend for approximately, 45 to 60 seconds. Add you rose petals at this time and stir pulp mixture.

Place the two sticks on either side of the dishpan, and sit mold, with screen side up onto to the sticks. Pour pulp, as evenly as possible over the mold, to about 1/8 thickness or a bit more, depending on the thickness you prefer. Then place the deckle on top of the mold.

Once the water has drained a bit, you will gently, remove the deckle and then turn the mold, paper side down onto some newspapers.

Gently lift the mold, using a rocking type motion, leaving the paper behind. Cover with another newspaper and press moisture out using the rolling pin.

You can either air dry or use an iron to dry the paper you make, using a dry medium setting.

- Keep in mind, the longer the paper mash sits in water; the easier it is for blending.

- Remember to add your roses after the pulp goes through the blender.

- To avoid paper curling, after drying, weight them down with something heavy, placing clean typing paper between them.

There are various creative ways to enhance the appearance of your rose paper.

Once you feel comfortable making paper, you may include such things as various other flowers, herbs, grasses and small twigs.

Adding assorted colors of thread to your paper is quite interesting. You may even want to hand or machine stitch along the edges to give it a more formal, finished appearance. Using wires of various colors and thin metal is stunning around the edges.

You can design your personal stationary or make up a batch for some inspiring gift ideas when you learn about rose paper making!

Try making paper from your own petals this year.

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